Teenager rescued from alleged confinement in Rivers home

A 15-year-old girl identified as Amarachi has been rescued after she was allegedly confined in a toilet at a residence in Abuloma, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Reports cited by Punch said Amarachi, who is from Ebonyi State, had been working as a domestic helper for a couple. She was allegedly locked in the toilet for weeks or months and fed once a day with leftover food.

Her cries reportedly attracted attention while the occupants of the house were away. Police officers subsequently rescued the teenager and arrested the couple. The Rivers State Police Command said the case was under investigation.

The allegations have not been tested in court. The incident has renewed concern about the protection of children working as domestic helpers. The source noted that Nigeria’s Constitution prohibits torture and inhuman or degrading treatment, while Section 11 of the Child Rights Act 2003 protects children from physical, mental and emotional injury, abuse, neglect, maltreatment and servitude.

Rivers State has a Family Court with jurisdiction over cases involving child abuse, neglect, domestic violence and child labour. The source also urged parents, guardians, employers, neighbours and community members to act when they suspect that a child is being harmed. It said authority over a child did not permit adults to inflict suffering, and called for prompt police investigations and stronger monitoring of vulnerable children placed in other households.